This is when we open the stage to local (and not-so-local) poets. Our list is currently full, but you can check with us on the night if you want to read, in case someone has dropped out. (Bring a poem or poems which you can read in no more than five minutes.)

SHORE POET: CLAIRE ASKEW

That’s a photo from Claire’s launch. Note that it’s so crowded, people are sitting on the stairs. That’s the sign of a good event!

Claire Askew launched her debut poetry collection, This changes things, at Blackwells on 5th February. The collection is published by Bloodaxe, and was shortlisted for the Edwin Morgan Poetry Award in 2014. Poems from the collection have been recognised by the International Salt Prize for Poetry, the Mslexia Women’s Poetry Competition, and the Charles Causley Poetry Prize, among others.

MUSICIANS: ARLEN

Arlen’s repertoire includes both original music and arrangements of songs by artists from George Gershwin to the Zombies. In 2014 and 2015 they played in the Edinburgh Fringe and North Berwick’s Fringe By The Sea to great feedback, and are looking forward to festival appearances in 2016 throughout Scotland. We’ll hear two-thirds of Arlen – Sadie Maskery (voice) and Graham Cumberland (guitar).

THE LEMON CAKE RAFFLE

The lemon cake raffle provides us with much-needed funds, so we very much appreciate your support. And it is a most excellent lemon cake. (Occasionally, we also have poetry books in the raffle, and are very grateful to the donors thereof.)